East Side Freedom Library

MATEWAN Free Screening + discussion
2026-01-15 18:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | East Side Freedom Library, 1105 Greenbrier St, Saint Paul, MN, 55106
Sometimes we need to look back at history to find strength to continue the struggles for justice we are currently facing. Along with our siblings at Trilingua Cinema, we invite you this Thursday, January 15th at 6pm for a free screening at ESFL of the epic film MATEWAN.
This film will be screened for free as part of our Reel Stories: Labor in Film series, presented in collaboration with East Side Freedom Library and the ESFL Labor Advisory Committee.
January 15th, 6:00pm
East Side Freedom Library
1105 Greenbrier Street, St Paul
“It makes history sing,”
-Michael Willmington, The Los Angeles Times
Start your new year with a free labor film series. TriLingua Cinema brings three landmark films to the East Side Freedom
Library, each illuminating the struggles, victories, and everyday courage of working people. Each film will be introduced by a local scholar-activist who will also lead a post-film conversation.
Starring James Earl Jones, “Matewan” is a dramatic film about the early 1920s mine wars in West Virginia. Leading the discussion of the film will be Gary Kaunonen, the Education and Program Manager at the Minnesota Discovery Center in Chisholm. He is the author of three terrific books about immigrant iron and copper miners in the early 20th century, and he is also a documentary filmmaker. His “Northern Minnesota’s Labor Wars” looks at strikes in 1916 and 1917 and their significance to World War I-era repression and deportations. We can count on Gary to help us tie the West Virginia labor story to our own Minnesota history, and to put the past challenges faced by immigrant workers in conversation with those of our present moment.
Synopsis
IT TAKES MORE THAN GUNS TO KILL A MAN.
Filmed in the coal country of West Virginia, “Matewan” celebrates labor organizing in the context of a 1920s work stoppage. Union organizer, Joe Kenehan, a scab named “Few Clothes” Johnson and a sympathetic mayor and police chief heroically fight the power represented by a coal company and Matewan’s vested interests so that justice and workers’ rights need not take a back seat to squalid working conditions, exploitation and the bottom line.
This film is rated PG-13. Parents or guardians are encouraged to consult the IMDB Parents Guide.
This film will be screened in English with English subtitles.

HISTORY DAY MENTORING! - Every Saturday morning from 10am-12pm
2026-01-24 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-01-31 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-02-07 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-02-14 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-02-21 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-02-28 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-03-07 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-03-14 10:00 - 12:00 and 2 more dates
National History Day Mentoring Returns to ESFL!
We’re excited to launch this year’s ESFL National History Day Mentoring Project!

Our first session was Saturday, December 6, and will continue every Saturday morning from 10AM–12PM throughout the season through April 2026.

This year’s National History Day theme is: REVOLUTION, REACTION, AND REFORM IN HISTORY
As the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, students are invited to explore how revolutions spark reactions, how reactions inspire reforms, and how each moment sets off the next, just like a line of falling dominoes.
Are you or your students passionate about racial justice, labor activism, women’s rights, immigrant history, GLBTQ+ movements, environmental activism, or other powerful stories of change?
Do they want to create performances, documentaries, exhibits, websites, or research papers?
Send them to the East Side Freedom Library!
Here they’ll find:

Rich research resources (books, art, music, archival material)
Connections for oral histories
Experienced mentors who have supported local students for over 10 years
And our results? Last year, three ESFL-mentored students won first or second place at Nationals!
STARTING THIS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6 – THEN EVERY SATURDAY MORNING, 10AM–NOON
East Side Freedom Library

Students are encouraged to make an appointment by emailing Peter Rachleff (American History professor at Macalester College for 30 years and coordinator of the ESFL mentor team): peter@eastsidefreedomlibrary.org
After their first session, students are welcome to return anytime to use ESFL resources. Menors will be available for in-person or remote one-on-one support.

Who's Got The Power? The Resurgence of American Unions
2026-01-24 13:00 - 14:30
Join us for an essential conversation about the labor movement’s revival with Dave Kamper, author of “Who’s Got the Power? The Resurgence of American Unions.”

Saturday, January 24, 2026
1-2:30pm
East Side Freedom Library

A Twin Cities resident, veteran labor organizer, and labor historian who has taught at Metro State University and now works at the Economic Policy Institute, Kamper offers a compelling exploration of how American workers emerged from the pandemic with newfound energy and strength.

Through interviews with workers and labor leaders—from Frito-Lay workers in Kansas and teachers in Chicago to Amazon warehouse workers in New York and auto workers in Detroit—he captures the stories of those on the front lines of a new wave of labor activism.

Dave will be joined by a panel of local labor activists who have been part of this resurgence and have read his book. Copies will be available for purchase.

Whether you’re deeply involved in labor organizing or simply curious about the seismic changes reshaping American work today, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

CLASSES: HISTORY & ORGANIZING TACTICS OF THE LABOR MOVEMENT
2026-01-26 18:30 - 20:30
Taught by Peter Rachleff and Carson Starkey
@ the East Side Freedom Library
Starting on Monday, January 26th
from 6:30-8:30pm

Register through Saint Paul Community Education, but you can also email Peter at: peter@eastsidefreedomlibrary.org
